Why This Lacrosse Goalie Can’t Explode To The Ball

Why This Lacrosse Goalie Can’t Explode To The Ball

When it comes to exploding to the lacrosse ball, some goalies have a real challenge with this until they develop some strength. But most coaches and parents miss the really good things that a lacrosse goalie does despite not being able to explode to the ball. With a little bit of patience EVERY lacrosse goalie can explode to the ball. Here’s what you need to look for.

For my Lacrosse Goalie University members I’ve uploaded an additional twenty minutes of footage on this specific topic. If you’re not a member of Lacrosse Goalie University be sure to join today and get HOURS of coaching footage to improve your lacrosse game. Click Here to learn more.

How To Get Your Lacrosse Goalie To Explode To The Ball

Hey there everybody, Coach Edwards here with LacrosseGoalieTips.com and LacrosseGoalieUniversity.com. Welcome to another edition of the lacrosse goalietips.com free videos, audios, however you’re absorbing this right now.

Hey, this week I got a question from a lacrosse goalie named Mike in Georgetown, MA. Funny story, Mike is related to Eric Mabius who you may have seen on television. Eric and I go way back when he and I did our first ever luge clinic when I was fifteen. Eric was this stud wrestler athlete before he got all movie-like. It’s kind of a small world moment when I get an email from Mike in Georgetown, Mass.

Before I get started with this email. I’ve shot about twenty-plus extra minutes inside Lacrosse Goalie University for our members. Click here to join today and get access to all of the coaching videos I have in there.

The point is this: What I’m about to talk about is, Mike is young, however this topic applies to lacrosse goalies of all ages. OK? From Pro goalies all the way down to AAU lacrosse goalies like Mike.

The question is this:

Coach Edwards I’m in 6th grade and I play for an AAU team. I’m good but I can’t seem to explode to the ball fast enough so that I can make a proper save.

Now, here’s the deal. I had a question this week with a Pro goalie as well as a Pro lacrosse coach, and we had this interesting discussion about what you would want more in a goalie: a goalie who can save the ball or a goalie who can catch the ball.

I believe that first and foremost that if you can keep the ball out of your cage then you have the opportunity to chase the ball down and get it down field. If it’s IN the cage and it goes back to a face-off, no your face-off guy…if he’s good then great, you get the ball in the offensive zone and you have the chance to score. If he’s horrible then it’s back on defence and you get another shot on cage and if the goalie is no good it’s in the net.

There are a couple things to talk about here. I just want to touch on one of them in this video, but again, for our Lacrose Goalie University members we go into much more depth.

What Young Lacrosse Goalies Miss

Here’s what I want to discuss about Mike; A lot of young goalies, new goalies, weak goalies (physically) they get two out of the three keys to making every save right. They see the ball, they know where it’s going, and then they move to it. But the MOVE part is slow. If you haven’t seen my videos on that you’ll want to check out Lacrosse Goalie University. com there are three free videos that I put on that website. You’ll want to grab those free videos.

You want to see the ball, know where it’s going and then move to it. What happens, especially with young goalies it that you get to the point where they see it and they know where it’s going but they just don’t get their fast enough. They might be getting there but they might be ticking the ball off the stick but they’re giving up a rebound. To me…what I always do with young goalies is this…if the ball goes in the net on a young goalie, I go listen, did you see it? Then they tell me yes or now.

If they say yes, I say GREAT! We’ve got thirty three percent of this down. Did you know where it was going? Yes, I knew where it was going. But then you moved to it and you were way slow. That’s fine, OK? What happens is, when we look at a goalie developmentally over the long-term, yeah it’s great, this goalie is in sixth grade and we’d love for him to make every save but that’s an impossible thing to request at that young.

What happens at this age is that the velocity of the ball starts to travel than that young goalie can explode to it. Because the goalie just isn’t physically there yet. That will come.

So what’s really important, and I stress this with every parent, coach and young goalie who is watching this right now, is do everything you can NOT to get frustrated about the result. Yes, we would love for the goalie to make the save but sometimes they are physically not able to do that just yet. They just don’t have the physical ability to move as fast as that ball is travelling to them.

What Lacrosse Parents and Coaches Miss

If you’re a parent do everything you can to keep your lacrosse goalie positive and take the step back. Don’t just look at the goal, ask “did you see the ball?” Did you see it leave the players stick. Awesome. If they say no then, wait a sec, we can’t even make a save on a ball that we can’t see.

Did you know where it was going? Well, yeah I saw it and knew where it was going and then I moved to it. Did you move properly? Were you just slow when you moved? Did you think you were slow? Well, then that is going to come.

What I like in those instances is when I get a young lacrosse goalie and I tell them, “listen, did you see it did you know where it was going and did you move to it? Yes, I just didn’t move fast enough. Great, what is cool is that we now have an “anchor”. That anchor now opens up with the goalie, “Listen, if we get you a little stronger physically, your’e going to move faster to that ball.” And that goalie goes, “Well how do I do that coach?” That opens up another conversation about training and strength and physical fitness and all sorts of things like that. I talk a lot about that for our Lacrosse Goalie University Members.

How To Make It Better

It’s so important to understand that with these young goalies, new goalies, weaker goalies…take the time and back it up. Goalies beat ourselves up all the time. We are the one that has the scoreboard showing every error we made in the game. Doesn’t show the guy who missed the ground ball. Doesn’t show the face-off guys who lost every face off. Doesn’t show the attackman who got the penalty in the offensive zone. The goalie sees all that stuff. It’s so important that lacrosse parents, coaches and goalies…to understand, listen, within that goal that just went in on me, and I wasn’t able to explode to it properly…here’s the thing…did I see it? Did I know where it’s going? That’s the foundation. The moving to the ball will come. That’s where we can start to get more in depth in the gym. And waiting for a goalie to develop.

I would much rather have a lacrosse goalie in grade six who is confident and can see the ball. Knows where it’s going and I know that strength is going to come. Hang in there.

Mike, thanks for the great question. If you’ve got a question for me feel free to email me.

Become a Better Lacrosse Goalie Today By Joining Lacrosse Goalie University Online

Comments

comments

Search a keyword here:

Search for:

Testimonials

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Dear Coach Edwards
My wife and I just want to say thank you so much for what you do with your site. The world of lacrosse goaltending lacks someone with your unbiased advice and genuine interest to help improve the game. Keep it up.

John and Kim in Maryland

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Dear Coach Edwards
My wife and I just want to say thank you so much for what you do with your site. The world of lacrosse goaltending lacks someone with your unbiased advice and genuine interest to help improve the game. Keep it up.

John and Kim in Maryland

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Hi Coach Edwards
Just an update Mia is doing awesome using the rope and all the info you gave us in the video's. She is saving at 63% and yesterday's game was 82%. We are 9-0 in our league right now.
Thanks again

Cyndi in Ohio

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Thanks to Coach Edwards advice in his Goalie Guru blog and the youtube videos I have been able to see Lax Goaltending from a different perspective. Sometimes it is really hard to be a goalie, especially if you don't receive enough attention in practices and little to no one-on-one coaching. ...

Kat, Goalie in Cologne, Germany

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

The website is amazing! I started goalie not too long ago and when ever I have troubles this site is where I go to. All of the tips and tricks to help become a better goalie is really helpful and beneficial. I'm so glad that that this site exists!

Lexi C. Goalie in Colorado

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

I've been reading your site for the last couple of months after finding your videos on youtube. I found them hugely helpful compared to every other coaching video I watched on youtube before coming here and as soon as I could afford to I signed up for Lacrosse Goalie University. ...

Gareth H - Goalie in Coventry, UK

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Dear Goalie Guru, I really appreciate you helping all the lacrosse goalies out there. As a former player, coach and parent of a goalie I came to realize that understanding lacrosse is not the same as understanding the goalie position. Your website/blog is by far the best resource I have ...

Andrew M. - Parent/Coach in Up State New York

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

As the parent of a goalie and the goalie coach for his team I don't have years of experience to bring to the field. Jonathan - The Goalie Guru has given me valuable tips, suggestions and ideas to improve the play of my son and the other goalies on his ...

Jeff S. - Parent/Coach in Chester, NJ

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Goalie Guru, My son is in his 2nd year of lacrosse and first year in High school JV... you have been spot on in your topics of the day... asking and answering questions that we might have and not know how to express...your help has been great...Keep it up

John S. - Goalie Parent in Ashland, VA

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

I found your site lacrosse goalie tips. over the past year I have found numerous tips and suggestions that have increased my sons confidence and knowledge about the goalie position. I would highly recommend this site to anybody that is looking for advice

Patrick H. - Parent/Coach in Jefferson, NY

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Jonathan, As the father of a girl's youth goalie there is a real lack of information for skill development. Your site is a great source of consistent and explained information. Thanks for your efforts.

Jim - Parent/Coach in Wilton, CT

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

We have really enjoying the goalie-focused web site and emails from the Goalie Guru. It's nice to have a resource like this as there's not too many lacrosse goalie experts around. Thanks!

Sean N. - Parent/Coach

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

I feel like all the information is well thought out, easy to understand, and helpful.

Matt C. - Lacrosse Coach in North Carolina

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Your the only goalie on the internet who will help with specific problems, and though I haven't come across anything you haven't covered I'm sure the day will come, and when it does I'll know who to flick an email. A+

Patrick H. - Lacrosse Goalie in New Zealand

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Dear Goalie Guru, I really appreciate the enthusiasm that you have been writing the last 3 months I been receiving emails. I feel it has not only helped me as a player but also as a coach making sure that my goalies understand fundamentals prior to making a save. the ...

John L. - Goalie/Coach in Pennsylvania

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

My 14yr. old daughter just picked up the sport in April 2012. I have searched the Internet for any information I could find about being a lacrosse goalie( tips, drills) LacrosseGoalieTips.com, is hands down the most informative site out there! Thanks again for all your information.

Steve T. - Goalie Parent in Margate, NJ

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

I've been reading your blogs for only a few months but I learn so much in that short of time. All the tips and articles are very helpful. I became a lot better goalie after reading all that your site has to offer. Keep it up!

John P. - Goalie in St. Louis, MO

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

The lacrossegoalietips.com site is a great learning tool for my 10 year old son to see some new techniques and see that others have the same questions.

Chuck B. - Parent/Coach in Illinois

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

My son is in his first year of middle school lacrosse and loving it. Having never played the sport myself (but now loving it) I have limited knowledge to pass on to him. That's where you come in; no matter what level of player you are responding to I can ...

Rob M. - Goalie Parent in Oakland, Michigan

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

This site is awesome!!! It really helped me be a better goalie.

Faith - Lacrosse Goalie in Pittsburgh, PA

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

I've really enjoyed the news letters I get from your website! They have really helped me a lot! Also when you personally responded to my email the day before my game it was really helpful and personal! The stories you share and advice you give is really great. There truely ...

Ethan S. - Lacrosse Goalie and Youth Coach in Katy, TX

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Goalie Guru, I have been on your site for a few weeks now all the info is very informative, and very helpful to my daughter who is a brand new goaltender

Mark K. - Goalie Parent in Philadelphia, PA

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

I have just recently been going to the lacrossegoalietips.com and I would have to say its the most informative site out there. I coach middle school and wasted money on goalie videos that don't tell you anything or make you fall asleep. Your site gives very useful information for anyone ...

Mike B. - Lacrosse Coach in West Chester, OH

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Dear GG I am fairly new to coaching and have been struggling to find information about coaching specific positions. thus far, your articles have been a great help. I look forward to more. Thank you

Greg H. - Parent/Coach in Phoenix, AZ

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

this site is packed with great information to become a better goalie. and i love how you have great tips for every game situation. one of my favorites that i share with my teammates, is taking a video of the game and mark on paper where the ball was shot. ...

Brian S. - Goalie in Robbinsville, NJ

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Dear goalie guru, I've been reading your blogs and articles for the past couple of months and they've already helped a TON! I'm thinking about being a goalie next year for the first time and your site has been a lot of help for practice. Thanks so much for putting ...

Brooke in Fenton, Michigan

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Dear Goalie Guru, I'm new to to Lacrosse Goalie Tips. But being a Defense & Goalie coach for a young program. and never playing Goalie. it's been the greats thing sense sliced bread. Being able to share the tips that the Guru shares have been great for each goalie in ...

Scott W. - Parent/Coach in Elk Grove, CA

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

I really like your youtube videos. After watching them i have been 100% better in the cage.

Bailey F. - Goalie in Vancouver, WA

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

this website has helped so much i cant even begin to say how much!

Johnathan D. - Goalie in Portland, Maine

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

This year was my first year playing and I really got hooked on the sport. Reading your newsletter really has been a great assait that I think will make me the best goalie I can be and always gets me thinking of ways I can better myself. Every goalie that ...

Taylor - Goalie in Milford, Deleware

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Dear Goalie Guru, My 10 year old Son just started playing goalie this season for his Town Program. He Is a ice hockey goalie for his select hockey team and love's the postion. As you know it's a little different, your tips on positioning and equipment you recommend are very ...

Ron R. - Lacrosse Parent in Saugus, MA

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Dear goalie coach, I was shown your site, by my mum! I read the blogs as much as I can, I have got your DVDs! And I have just improved so much as a goalie! I have past these DVDs on and the website everyone thinks it's great! Thanks heaps ...

Bree H - Lacrosse Goalie in Melbourne, Australia

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Dear Johnathan. Ive been reading your emails and watching your videos for the past year. I must say that by watching your videos not only have I become a better goalie, but I've also become more familiar with the position. thansk alot for your time and putting your knowledge out ...

Brody P. - Lacrosse Goalie in North East, Maryland

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Dear Goalie Guru, All of the emails from you that I have read have been more than helpful, they have been game changing for me. I watched a lot of the movies from your YouTube page and they have been a huge help. I watched one of the ones that ...

Alex B. - Goalie in Houston, Texas

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Dear Goalie Guru, I've been reading your blog and sharing your tips with other goalie parents and coaches for some time now. Your advice has improved our middle school son's performance & confidence...thank you so very much. Your tip on "padding up your goalie" to help reduce fear made a ...

Cheryl C. - Lacrosse Parent in Peachtree City, Georgia

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

I read every email you send me and they help me with my game so much. Thank you for sending these emails and vids out!

Drew R. - Goalie in Fayetteville, Pennsylvania

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Dear Goalie Guru, Your tips and video's have helped me as a goalie that I would like to spread this amazing message to all the young goalies out there. Please subscribe to the Goalie Guru! It will help you out a lot. Trust me. It has helped me.

Ryan M. - Lacrosse Goalie in Lafayette, NJ

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Having an e-zine focused on the goalie is great. The information, perspective and coaching guidance you provide is a invaluable resource. Please keep adding content.

Tom H. - Goalie/Parent/Coach in Portland, OR

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Dear Goalie Guru, I have been enjoying your weekly newsletter for a few months now, and it has been very helpful. Your newsletter has given me information that I have brought up with my coaches that none of us have thought about. The information opens up the reader's eyes to ...

Maggie T. - Goalie in Clayton, California

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Thank you so much for sending out these newsletters! I also really like the video you just made. I step to the 10x more than i used to.

Bailey F. - Goalie in Vancouver, Washington

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Coming from a very non-traditional field lacrosse area the internet is our main source of information. Your website has been very helpful and informative to my daughter and myself. We have come across many questions that have been answered by your website and are thankful that you are able to ...

Carol W. - Field Lacrosse Parent in Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

I've been reading the Goalie Guru blog and email tips for the last 6 months and they've been incredibly helpful. It's great to hear that other goalies have many of the same challenges I do and to read your suggestions for overcoming them. Keep up the great work and I'm ...

Sean J. - Goalie/Parent in Chapel Hill, NC

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

As the dad of a goalie, the information from your web site and ezine have been invaluable. My son has been playing lacrosse for just a year, and goalie for less than that, yet your tips have helped make him such a good goalie at age 13 that he's being ...

John S. - Parent in Purcellville,Virginia

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

It is just wonderful to have site just dedicated to goalies...forgotten heroes. I just love all the helpful tips and question to a lot question I have about being a goalie.

Olivia W. - Lacrosse Goalie in Sylvania, Ohio

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Dear Goalie Guru, I've been reading your blogs and e-zine as well as following your website for a couple of years, maybe more. I have always found the advice spot on and easy to follow, to the point where I often print off advice and comments and pass them on ...

Julian S. - Lacrosse Goalie in West Sussex, England

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Dear Goalie Guru, I've been reading your blogs and watching your videos on youtube since I started playing goalie about seven months ago. I used to be an LSM and it was a difficult transition to goalie, especially right before my junior season. Through coaching from your blogs, (five hole ...

Joe M. - Goalie in Minnetonka, MN

LacrosseGoalieTips.com

Coach Edward thank you for caring so much about a position that does not get that much attention or love. I am now a freshman in college and have been watching your videos and applying your tips, tricks, and techniques since I was in middle school. Now that I am ...